2019 Mercedes-AMG SLC 43 Gets A Surprise Power Upgrade

5.2K

Views

Rumors have suggested the Mercedes SLC is being scrapped.

Recent rumors have suggested the entry-level Mercedes SLC is going to be scrapped. The roadster, a renamed version of the SLK, has been given little love since it launched in 2015, and Mercedes recently admitted its fate is “under discussion.” However, the SLC isn’t being killed off just yet, as Mercedes has announced a raft of updates for the US model. The 2019 SLC 300 will receive new trim updates but has been otherwise left unchanged.

New options include an ambient lighting system, blind spot assist and a Harman/Kardon LOGIC7 sound system. An analog clock and a Parktronic system can also be ordered. Under the hood, the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine carries over and still produces 241 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. It’s paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission enabling the roadster to accelerate from 0-62 mph in 5.8 seconds. The bigger news, however, is that the Mercedes-AMG SLC 43 has been given a surprise power upgrade. Its twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 now produces 385 hp – that’s a 23-hp increase over the 2018 model, which had 362 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque.

No performance specifications were provided, but the 2019 SLC 43 should be able to accelerate from 0-60 mph in under 4.6 seconds thanks to its horsepower boost. As well as an upgraded engine, the updated SLC 43 also features new standard equipment including dual-zone climate control and active LED headlights with automatic high beam assist. It can now also be finished in a new Graphite Grey exterior. All updates apply to both the standard and AMG variants. Despite the updates, the SLC’s future still looks uncertain. Mercedes sold just 2,860 units in the US last year, and has only sold 1,046 SLCs this year through to May. The situation isn’t quite as bleak in Europe, where Mercedes sold 7,879 units in 2017.